In this dynamic environment, students learn about the elements (or visual components) as well as the principles of art that artists use to organize their work. The elements are line, shape, form, value, space, color, and texture. The principles include rhythm, balance, emphasis, proportion, gradation, harmony, variety, and movement. These principles and elements are taught through the lens of the history of art. Throughout the school year, students are introduced to a variety of artists and art forms, ranging from Ancient Egypt to the work being created by contemporary artists from around the globe. All artists and styles explored offer the opportunity to learn about how their work incorporates the elements and principles of art. Throughout the year, the art studio collaborates with core- and co-curricular teachers to implement STEAM initiatives, including this year’s focus on global citizenship. These allow the opportunity to incorporate the arts into every area of learning. Likewise, many of the elements and principles of art are naturally occuring in STEAM, such as shape, proportion, form, balance, value, the science of color, and more. The art studio should be a place where every student feels empowered to assert their creativity. To this end, the focus is on kindness and creating a work space where students feel confident and eager to express their ideas. Contemporary American artist Amy Sherald said, “I don't think anybody can create in a space where they don't feel comfortable.” In the art studio, students are given tools to find this comfort and courage to create and grow across the arts and the STEAM curriculum.

The core curriculum for the library adds depth to all other curricular areas for each grade level. We seek to foster a love of reading in our students by exploring literature and engaging in book discussions. We believe that research and information literacy skills are vital to success across every subject area. Guided by standards outlined by the American Library Association, we teach students how to find and access information effectively and efficiently, how to critically evaluate information and its sources, how to incorporate research into their own work, and how to properly cite information gathered through this process in their own work.

Singapore Math stays with concepts and skills longer than traditional math programs, guaranteeing that learners have full understanding before moving to the next concept.  It moves students from the concrete to the pictorial to the abstract carefully and systematically to ensure student understanding of  the “why,” not just the “how.” The program stresses mathematical thinking and problem solving: Math is the vehicle and the goal is thinking and problem solving.

Intermediate grade levels participate in the development and practice of note reading and writing skills through a variety of pathways (songs, games, assessments). Students make creative connections to academic learning through studies of musical genres (Folk, Classical, Jazz, etc) in relation to instruments, musical expression, improvisation, and cultural literacy. Classes perform throughout the school year at Morning Meetings and at the Holiday Program. Students also participate in Celebrations of Learning through collaborative STEAM projects during the year. Choral Music (Grades 4 - 8) The TCS Choral program has three vocal groups: Intermediate (4th/5th) Chorus, 6th Grade Chorus, and an audition-based Chamber Chorus (grades 6-8). In rehearsals, there is an emphasis on ear training and pitch matching through the use of vocal warm-ups, scales, and exercises. Reading and understanding vocal music, 2-part harmony (Intermediate) and 2- or 3-part harmony (Middle School), vocal dynamics, expression, and blending are also core components of the learning process. Students perform vocal repertoire throughout the school year at the Winter Concert, Holiday Program, and Celebration of the Arts Spring Concert.

Reading in Fourth Grade uses the Reading Workshop model as its foundation. Within this structure students read independently, in partnerships, in small guided reading/skill groups, in book clubs, and with the whole class. Students learn to build skills to dig deeper into their reading in order to gain meaning. Some of the areas of focus are finding the main idea, recalling facts and details, recognizing cause and effect, finding word meaning using context, and identifying the theme of a story. Students are taught to support their thinking by finding text evidence. Students develop inferencing skills and vocabulary through direct word study and the use of context clues.

All students PreSchool - 8th Grade  have weekly physical education in the gymnasium or out on the field. Students take part in a variety of activities and units that follow and adhere to The Shape America Physical Education Standards. Some of the units that we teach at TCS are...low ropes course (Signature Program), soccer, golf, floor hockey, lacrosse, and cooperative games.

The Physical Education Department, first and foremost, is responsible for helping our young people acquire the skills and self-confidence they need to participate in a wide variety of physical activities. The curriculum seeks to develop strength, stamina, and coordination. Our hope is that what is gained through our fun and developmentally appropriate activities will go with them well beyond their school days. Students learn the motor skills necessary to participate in a wide variety of physical activities, helping them to understand the link between physical activity and good health.

• Fitness
  • Cardio Fitness Strength and Endurance
  • Activities
    • Jump rope, hula hoops, wands, rhythm sticks, scooters, flags (balance, hand-eye coordination, rhythm, strength, endurance) Walking, Jogging, Running (pacing, gait, cardio fitness level) Fitness circuits/climbing wall( strength agility, balance general coordination) Parachute (locomotor skills rhythm, strength creativity), Aerobic games and tag. (aerobic and non aerobic conditioning, agility, team building)
  • Coordination
    • Rhythm, Balance, 
      • Parachute
      • Dance (creative movement, rhythm, coordination, locomotor skills) 
  • Cooperative games 
    • Outdoor ropes course, indoor climbing wall, build foam block structures
  • Modified sports 
    • Soccer (dribbling, passing, trapping, shooting, foot-eye coordination), Basketball (dribbling passing, catching, pivoting, rebounding, shooting, hand-eye coordination , Ultimate ( throwing, catching, hand-eye coordination), Softball/baseball/wiffle ball/TennyBall (striking, catching, throwing, hand-eye coordination), Track and Field ( running, jumping hurdles, passing baton, general coordination, throwing disc) , Floor hockey( dribbling, passing, shooting, and goaltending skills), Team Handball (striking, serving, agility, hand-eye coordination), Bowling, Tennis ( forehand, backhand, volleying, serving, overheads), Badminton, Pickleball

The Fourth Grade science program is based on the underlying assumptions that children are naturally curious and learn best when they can bring their own perspectives, experiences and ideas to class while exploring, asking questions and formulating meaningful conclusions. Through hands-on activities, scientific experimentation and field work in a safe and specifically designed and age-appropriate science lab, STEAM spaces and the local environment, students develop important skills based on the scientific process such as making observations, hypothesizing, developing testing procedures, introducing variables, recording and analyzing data, finding evidence, reaching conclusions, using tools and applying their knowledge to solve real-world problems.

Students will be introduced to a Science Notebook, and, wherever possible, there is a crossover and collaboration with the classroom teacher and curricula to integrate science with in-class work and with other STEAM disciplines, with the goal being to help students make important connections and deepen their learning. Throughout the year, students will participate in integrated project work share-outs, which are highly collaborative and provide low-stakes sharing, leadership and confidence-building opportunities

Examples of Fourth Grade Science topics and STEAM units this year include the following:

• Environmental Science meets our Local Environment
• The Microworld
• Introduction to Body Systems
• STEAMing through the States

Children expand their vocabulary and learn basic grammar and expressions, reviewing topics of study from previous years (weather, numbers, colors, etc.), and learning to talk about themselves, their family and the world around them. Students will acquire Spanish much in the same way that those around us taught us our first language, by listening and connecting words and meaning naturally. While students receive both aural and written input that is comprehensible, output (speaking and writing) is allowed to develop at a natural pace. Goals and Expectations for the year:   

• To recite the Spanish alphabet.
• To count in sequence 1-100.
• To recite the days of the week and months.
• To use greetings (formal/informal).
• To identify body parts.
• To demonstrate understanding that nouns in Spanish have gender.
• To use el/la ~ los/las (definite articles)
• To use un/una ~ unos/unas (indefinite articles)
• To recognize “cognate” words.
• To be able to write a complete sentence in singular/plural forms.
• To describe yourself and tell about some of your likes and dislikes.
• To describe your class schedule/supplies you use.
• To talk about some of your leisure-time activities.
• To describe what you like and don’t like to eat and drink.
• To conjugate in the present tense -ar ,-er and -ir verbs.

• Being the “older” reading buddies to the younger students in Pre-K / leading weekly activities, energizers, modeling talents and playtime
• Recycling duties for the TCS community
• Hosting and organizing the technology for the lower school meetings (WTCS Radio Show)
• Assisting to maintain the gardens
• Peer mentors with 3rd grade with various programming
• Senior Center book club buddies
• Assisting with school owl mascot costume